Extraction Of Plant Material Research Articles

Coffee with cinnamon – Impact of phytochemicals interactions on antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in vitro activity

This paper evaluates the potential bioaccessibility and interactions between antiradical and anti-inflammatory compounds from coffee and cinnamon. Results obtained for whole plant material extracts were compared with those for chlorogenic and cinnamic acids (the main bioactive constituents of the study material). All samples, coffee, cinnamon and a mixture of the two showed abilities to scavenge free radicals and to inhibit lipoxygenase (LOX) activity. Both activities increased after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. In the mixture antiradical phytochemicals acted antagonistically – isoboles adopted the convex form. The same interactions were determined for chemical standards. The water-extractable LOX inhibitors acted synergistically – the isobole curve was “concave”. The same type of interaction was determined for standard compounds. Interestingly, after digestion in vitro a slight antagonism in the action of LOX inhibitors was observed. The results show that the food matrix and/or its changes during digestion may play an important role in creating the biological properties.

A Comparative Study of Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) Essential Oil Extracted by Microwave-Assisted Hydrodistillation (MAHD) and Conventional Hydrodistillation (HD) Method

The demand of essential oil in current industry has increased due to its bioactive compound that shows various therapeutic effects. Microwave-assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) is an advanced hydrodistillation (HD) technique, in which a microwave oven is used as the heating source. MAHD extraction of essential oil from Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus) was studied. The effect of different parameters, such as water to plant material ratio (6:1, 8:1,10:1), microwave power (200 W,250W) and extraction time (30min,60min, 90min,120min) on the extraction yield and its major constituents were investigated and the results were compared with those of conventional HD. These essential oils were further analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometric (GC-MS) to evaluate the effect of extraction method on the content of its main constituents which were neral, geranial and myrcene and some minor compounds such as linalool, geranic acid and citronellol. The optimum parameters were found at water to plant material ratio of 8:1, microwave power of 250W and 90 minutes of extraction and the yield obtained under this condition was 1.46%. GC-MS analysis has proved that the use of microwave irradiation did not adversely influence the composition of essential oils as the main constituents found through both methods were almost similar in term of quality and quantity. The results obtained indicate that MAHD method provided a good alternative for the extraction of essential oil from Lemongrass (Cymbopogon Citratus). I. INTRODUCTION Essential oils are botanical extracts of various plant materials, and do not only originate from flowers, but from herbs, trees and various other plant material. It is estimated that the global number of plants is of the order of 300,000 and about 10% of these contains essential oils and could be used as a source for their production (1).Their extracts are formed by combination of diverse and complex volatile mixtures of chemical compounds, with predominance of terpene associated to aldehydes, alcohols, and ketones which were accumulated in various structure of the plant (2). In industry, the essential oils are typically extracted from fresh or partially dried leaves using various method of extraction and the most common will be hydrodistillation. The use of medicinal plants extracts is part of a competitive market, which includes pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and perfumery markets, mainly to use their active substance. The Asian continent with its diversity of climates appears to be the most vital producer of essential oils. China and India play a major role followed by Indonesia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam

CONTRIBUTION OF WESTERN AND EASTERN SPECIES TO THE IRANIAN PEAR GERMPLASM REVEALED BY THE CHARACTERIZATION OF S-GENOTYPES

CONTRIBUTION OF WESTERN AND EASTERN SPECIES TO THE IRANIAN PEAR GERMPLASM REVEALED BY THE CHARACTERIZATION OF S-GENOTYPES

Assessing crop residue phosphorus speciation using chemical fractionation and solution 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

At physiological maturity, nutrients in crop residues can be released to the soil where they are incorporated into different labile and non-labile pools while the remainder is retained within the residue itself. The chemical speciation of phosphorus (P) in crop residues is an important determinant of the fate of this P. In this study, we used chemical fractionation and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, first separately and then together, to evaluate the P speciation of mature oat (Avena sativa) residue. Two water extracts (one employing shaking and the other sonication) and two acid extracts (0.2N perchloric acid and 10% trichloroacetic acid) of these residues contained similar concentrations of orthophosphate (molybdate-reactive P determined by colorimetry) as NaOH–EDTA extracts of whole plant material subsequently analysed by solution 31P NMR spectroscopy. However, solution 31P NMR analysis of the extracts and residues isolated during the water/acid extractions indicated that this similarity resulted from a fortuitous coincidence as the orthophosphate concentration in the water/acid extracts was increased by the hydrolysis of pyrophosphate and organic P forms while at the same time there was incomplete extraction of orthophosphate. Confirmation of this was the absence of pyrophosphate in both water and acid fractions (it was detected in the whole plant material) and the finding that speciation of organic P in the fractions differed from that in the whole plant material. Evidence for incomplete extraction of orthophosphate was the finding that most of the residual P in the crop residues following water/acid extractions was detected as orthophosphate using 31P NMR. Two methods for isolating and quantifying phospholipid P were also tested, based on solubility in ethanol:ether and ethanol:ether:chloroform. While these methods were selective and appeared to extract only phospholipid P, they did not extract all phospholipid P, as some was detected by NMR in the crop residue after extraction. These results highlight the need for careful interpretation of results from chemical fractionation, as separation can be compromised by incomplete recovery and side reactions. This study also highlights the benefits of employing a technique that can simultaneously detect multiple P species (solution 31P NMR) in combination with chemical fractionation.

Compositional Variations and Antibacterial Activities of the Essential Oils of three Melaleuca Species from South Africa

The leaf oils of three Melaleuca species, M. bracteata var. revolution gold, M. bracteata var. revolution green and M. trichostachya var. compacta from South Africa have been studied for their volatile constituents and bacterial activities. Isolation of the oils were performed through hydrodistillation using a Clevenger apparatus for 4h. Redistillation after 7 h was carried out on the extracted plant material via hydrodistillation method for another 3 h. The compositions of the first distillates were at variance with the second distillates especially with M. trichostachya var. compacta oils. A schematic postulate has been proposed for the rearrangement transformation of some compounds. The chemical profile of oils of M. trichostachya var. compacta has been reported for the first time. The results of zone of inhibition (ZI) and minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) activities of the 6 oils against an array of 12 bacteria pathogens are also reported.

Mineral content analysis and investigation of antimicrobial activities of Evolvulus alsinoides (L.) L. against clinical pathogens

Background: Medicinal plants are the richest bio-resource of drugs of traditional systems of medicine, modern medicines, nutraceuticals, food supplements, folk medicines, pharmaceutical intermediates and chemical entities for synthetic drugs. Use of herbal products as antimicrobial agents may provide the best alternative to the wide and injudicious use of synthetic antibiotics. Trace elements play a vital role in the medical value of plants as curative and preventive agents in combating disease, nutritive and catalytic disorders. The aim of the study was to investigate the trace element analysis by energy-dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDX) and antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoides . Methods: Elemental analysis of Evolvulus alsinoides whole plant sample was done by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an EDX and for the antimicrobial activity was done by using standard procedures. Results: Our results showed the presence of carbon, oxygen, chloride, potassium and calcium in whole plant material of Evolvulus alsinoides . The ethanolic extract of plant material showed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Proteus, Klebsiella, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli and also showed the good antifungal activity against all the fungi ( Aspergillus flavus , Candida albicans , Candida tropicans , Rhizopus and Fuserium ) tested. Conclusion: The data obtained in elemental analysis and antimicrobial activity of this plant indicates the promising potential in the treatment of various diseases as a medicine

Elemental Analysis of <i>Galium incanum</i> SM subsp Centrale Ehrend by X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy

Purpose: To evaluate the content of trace elements in Galium incanum SM. subsp. centrale Ehrend.Methods: The air-dried aerial parts of the plant material were used and its water extract (2 % w/v infusion) was analysed for trace elements using x-ray fluorescence (XRF ) spectrometry.Results: The aqueous extract depicted significant concentrations of macro- and micro-nutrients with heavy metal and metal oxide content of 4.07 - 6.02 and 3.19 - 4.01 % for powdered plant material and water extract, respectively. The contents of Ca (22840 ppm) and K (8204 ppm) were the highest among all the elements while Zn (45.9 ppm) and Fe (328 ppm) were also detected in significant amounts. Zn, Mn and Cu showed the highest content while those of Mg, Al, K, Ca, Fe and P lowest in the water extract.Conclusion: The presence of significant levels of Ca, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Mg, Mn and Cu in G. incanum subsp. centrale showed that this plant has notable nutrient elements. The traditional use of Gallium species as a diuretic may be attributed to its rich content of potassium.Keywords: Rubiaceae, Galium incanum, Trace elements, Macronutrients, Micronutrients, X-ray fluorescence.

Strategies for improved bioproduction of benzaldehyde by Pichia pastoris and the use of hytrel as tubing material for integrated product removal by in situ pervaporation

Benzaldehyde (BZA), with its almond-like aroma, is an important additive in the food, fragrance and nutraceutical industries, and biologically derived BZA by microbial catalysts provides many advantages over the traditional methods of plant material extraction. The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris induces alcohol oxidase (AOX) in the presence of methanol, which is highly nonspecific to other primary alcohols, and can oxidize them to their aldehyde form without further degradation, such as benzyl alcohol (BA) to BZA. In this work BA and BZA inhibition on P. pastoris cell growth was determined with an IC50 at 0.98gL−1 for BZA and 2.95gL−1 for BA, which are low levels and are undesirable for high biotransformation rates. Product detoxification, and not low AOX and low cellular energy source, was found to most improve the biotransformation rates, which prompted the application of in situ product removal (ISPR) using the thermoplastic polymer Hytrel 3078, fabricated into pervaporation tubing by DuPont, Canada. Hytrel 3078, chosen for its high partition coefficient (PC) for BZA and its low PC for BA, was characterized by available tubing surface area and permeate gas flow rate in terms of its BZA/BA flux, showing that permeate gas flow rate has a greater positive influence on flux. Finally, the integrated in situ pervaporation biotransformation was effective at continuous product separation, using 87.4% less polymer in comparison to studies with the use of polymer beads, and improved overall volumetric productivity of 214% (245.9mgL−1h−1vs. 115.0mgL−1h−1) over previous studies producing BZA.

Allelopathic effects of some medicinal plants on the germination and growth of Chenopodium album L.

This study was conducted at the Laboratory of Medicinal Plants, Payamenoor University of west AzerbaijanNagadeh, Iran, in 2012. The water extract was prepared by soaking 15, 30, 45 and 60 gram of plant materials of Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L), Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis L.), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and Black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) in 1 litter distilled water and shaking for 24 hours. Results of analysis of variance showed the significant effect of extract concentration and on the germination percent, germination rate, shoot length and radicle length. Interaction effect between concentration and plant species was significant on the ratio of radicle/shoot length and seedling dry weight. The highest germination percent (65.1 %) and germination rate (6.90 % per day) were obtained from water extract of cumin plant material. The maximum germination percent (79 %), germination rate (8.48 % per day) were obtained from control treatment. The highest ratio of radicle/shoot length (1.72) belonged to 15 g/l of cumin extract, as same as by water extract of 30 g/l Moldavian balm and 15 g/l black cumin extracts. The maximum seedling dry weight (0.065 g) was obtained

Evaluating the effect of storage on the biological activity and chemical composition of three South African medicinal plants

Despite the popularity of traditional medicine in Africa, the continent remains behind in terms of the regulation, safety and quality control of its medicinal plant industry. There is heightened interest in essential aspects that affect the industry, with storage practices and consequent effects on plant efficacy being of high priority. Therefore, the effect of short-term storage on the efficacy and phytochemical content of three popular medicinal plants (Ocimum basilicum, Senna petersiana and Hypoxis hemerocallidea) was investigated. The antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of four solvent extracts of the selected plant (fresh and short-term stored) were compared. Phytochemical analysis of 50% methanol extracts of plant materials was determined using spectrophotometric methods. Fresh samples of the majority of the plant extracts indicated better antibacterial (Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli) and antifungal (Candida albicans) activities in comparison to the stored samples. There was no specific pattern in antioxidant activity for both stored and fresh samples for the different plants. Phytochemical analysis pointed towards noticeable differences between fresh and stored samples of the various plant extracts with fresh samples showing higher chemical concentrations in many plant parts. In general, the current findings indicate that the degree of changes in the pharmacological and phytochemical activity due to storage was plant part- and species-specific.

IN VITRO ANTHELMINTIC ACTIVITY OF DIFFERENT SOLVENT EXTRACTS OF AGLAIA LAWII LEAVES

Aim of our study is to evaluate the anthelmintic activity of different solvent extracts of Aglaia lawii leaves. Natural products play an important role in the discovery and development of new pharmaceuticals. The development of anthelmintic resistance, side effects and the cost of conventional anthelmintic drugs led to the evaluation of medicinal plants as an alternative source of anthelmintics. Aglaia species has a long history of traditional use as an anthelmintic. So the present study is aimed to carry out the anthelmintic activity of various extracts of Aglaia lawii. Air shade dried and pulverized plant material was refluxed with ethyl acetate, acetone, ethanol and methanol solvents and respective extracts were screened for activity using Eicinia foeitida. Albendazole is used as standard. The anthelmintic assay was carried out as per the method of Nargund with minor modifications. It was observed that all the extracts of Aglaia lawii leaves have exhibited positive response to certain degree of anthelmintic activity in dose dependent manner. Acetone and methanol extracts of plant material exhibits significant activity at all dilutions as compared to the standard. Ethyl acetate extract is the least active among four extracts. The rate of paralysis as well as death is higher at more concentrated extracts. The results indicate that acetone and methanol extracts are more potent than ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts. It is concluded based on the findings of the present study that the leaves of Aglaia lawii possess varying degree of anthelmintic activities. The dose of the extract is increased, a gradual increase in the activity of extracts. Acetone and methanol extracts exhibited significant anthelmintic activity at highest concentration of 30 mg/ml. This study strongly supports the traditional use of leaves as anthelmintic.

Molecular Size Fractions of Bay Leaf (Laurus nobilis) Exhibit Differentiated Regulation of Colorectal Cancer Cell Growth In Vitro

Numerous in vitro studies using solvent or aqueous extracts of raw dietary plant material have demonstrated modulation of colon cancer cell growth and apoptosis and effects on immune and nonimmune pathways of inflammation. We have developed a generic, 3-staged food-compatible process involving heating for conversion of dietary plants into food ingredients and report results on potential colon cancer-regulating properties of processed forms of Bay leaf (Laurus nobilis). In vitro studies demonstrated inhibition of cancer cell growth by processed Bay leaf products in HT-29, HCT-116, Caco-2, and SW-480 human cancer cell lines, which were accompanied by variable levels of elevated apoptosis. Bay leaf also exerted moderate inhibition of cycloxygenase 2 and 5 lipoxygenase enzymatic activity. In addition, these extracts significantly downregulated interferon-γ production in T helper Type 1-stimulated whole blood from healthy donors. Furthermore, size fractionation of the extracts revealed that antiproliferative and proapoptotic activities were associated with low mass (primarily polyphenolics and essential oils) and high mass (primarily proteins including polyphenol oxidase) chemical classes, respectively. Bay leaf exerted in vitro bioactivity that might be relevant to protecting against early events in sporadic colorectal cancer, with potential for further optimization of bioactivity by size-based fractionation.

Supercritical fluid extraction of plant flavors and fragrances.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) of plant material with solvents like CO2, propane, butane, or ethylene is a topic of growing interest. SFE allows the processing of plant material at low temperatures, hence limiting thermal degradation, and avoids the use of toxic solvents. Although today SFE is mainly used for decaffeination of coffee and tea as well as production of hop extracts on a large scale, there is also a growing interest in this extraction method for other industrial applications operating at different scales. In this review we update the literature data on SFE technology, with particular reference to flavors and fragrance, by comparing traditional extraction techniques of some industrial medicinal and aromatic crops with SFE. Moreover, we describe the biological activity of SFE extracts by describing their insecticidal, acaricidal, antimycotic, antimicrobial, cytotoxic and antioxidant properties. Finally, we discuss the process modelling, mass-transfer mechanisms, kinetics parameters and thermodynamic by giving an overview of SFE potential in the flavors and fragrances arena.

Photochemistry of excited-state species in natural waters: A role for particulate organic matter

Laser flash photolysis (LFP) was used to characterize a triplet excited state species isolated from Black River and San Joaquin wetlands particulate organic matter (POM). The solubilized organic matter, isolated from POM by pH-independent diffusion in distilled water, was named PdOM. UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, excitation–emission matrix spectroscopy (EEMs), and 1H NMR were used to characterize the PdOM. While LFP of dissolved organic matter (DOM) is known to generate the solvated electron, LFP of the PdOM transient in argon-, air-, and nitrous oxide-saturated solutions indicated that this was a triplet excited state species (3PdOM*). The lifetime and the reactivity of 3PdOM* with sorbic acid, a triplet state quencher, were compared with that of the triplet excited state of benzophenone, a DOM proxy. A second excited state species (designated DOM*), with a longer lifetime, was reported in a number of previous studies but not characterized. The lifetime of DOM*, measured for seventeen organic matter isolates, lignin, tannic acid, and three wetlands plant extracts, was shown to differentiate allochthonous from autochthonous DOM. 3POM* and DOM* were also observed in lake water and a constructed wetlands' water. Aqueous extracts of fresh and aged plant material from the same wetland were shown to be one source of these excited state species. This study provides evidence of a role for POM in the photochemistry of natural and constructed wetland waters.

Natural Sesquiterpene Lactones as Renewable Chemical Materials for New Medicinal Products

<p>Literature data and own research results on the technology for isolating natural sesquiterpene lactones such as arglabin, alantolactone, artemisinin, grosheimin, isoalantolactone, parthenolide, santonin and potential possibilities of their use as renewable material for obtaining new compounds as well as biologically active derivatives are generalized in this review. Sesquiterpene lactones from plants are promising sources for the development and practical application of new original medical products possessing antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiulcer, antiviral and immune-stimulating action. The technology for isolating sesquiterpene lactones is based on the extraction of raw plant material by different organic solvents with the subsequent chromatographic purification. The effective and environmentally safe technology for isolation and purification of sesquiterpene lactone arglabin from <em>Artemisia glabella</em> Kar. et Kir. by the СО<sub>2</sub>-extraction method is developed. Thereat, it was experimentally determined that the method for isolating arglabin from CO<sub>2</sub> extract of <em>Artemisia glabella</em> Kar. et Kir. using centrifugal partition chromatography is effective for preparative isolation of the active substance and its manufacturing application. It is practically important to obtain water-soluble derivatives of biologically active sesquiterpene lactones and also to use the nanotechnology achievements for directed transportation of a molecule of the medicine in the human body thereby reducing toxicity of an active component. Promising direction is chemical modification of molecules in sesquiterpene lactones which are renewable material for obtaining new derivatives, thanks to which it becomes possible to solve two problems at the same time. Firstly, these researches help to obtain derivatives with higher biological activity or improved physical and chemical properties. Secondly, these researches enable us to disclose the mechanism of action of different medicines within the framework of “structure-activity” correlation. The article presents the literature data and own results on chemical modification of sesquiterpene lactones of alantolactone, arglabin, artemisinin, grosheimin, isoalantolactone, parthenolide and santonin. Various reactions on functional groups of these molecules were used to obtain a number of new derivatives of sesquiterpene lactones containing haloid-, pyrazole-, triazole-, amino-, dialkylamino-, hydroxy-, dialkyl phosphonate- and cyclopropane groups, which have shown high physiological activity.</p>

Calcium carbonate incrustation and phosphorus fractions in five charophyte species

To discern the proportion of phosphorus (P) incorporated into plant biomass to that adsorbed on calcium carbonate incrustation, five charophyte species from three calcareous lakes in Poland were studied in summer 2012. Two organic and two inorganic P fractions were analysed after sequential extraction of plant material. Ca content was analysed after dissolution of calcite from separate plant samples in 1M HCl. The deposition of calcite depended on site conditions – various plant species from the same lake produced similar amount of incrustation. Organic P fraction extracted with NaOH was the largest (50% of TP) and least variable among plant species. The sum of the two inorganic P fractions was not correlated with Ca concentrations in plants suggesting a non-stoichiometric P binding with calcite. Loosely bound inorganic P and calcium-bound P constituted 26% and 21% of TP, respectively, and differed significantly among plant species. The latter fraction may be considered P sink in bottom sediments after plant decay. Further studies based on a larger dataset are needed to test site- and/or species-specific content of calcite incrustations and P fractions in charophytes.

Polyphenols and antioxidant properties of extracts from Mentha pulegium L. and Matricaria chamomilla L.

Introduction: Mentha pulegium L. and Matricaria chamomilla L. are used in the Algerian folk medicine. This study was carried out to determine the antioxidant activity of these plants and their polyphenols contents. Methods: The antioxidant capacity of the plant extracts was determined by the scavenging activity against 1,1-diphenyl- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and β-carotene/linoleic acid model system. Total phenolic content in these extracts were determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's reagent. Results: The methanolic extract (MeE) of Mentha pulegium L. showed the highest yield of extraction (14.4%). Whereas, the aqueous extract (AqE) of Matricaria chamomilla L. had the highest yield (18.56%) from total extracted plant material. Moreover, the ethyl acetate extract of Mentha pulegium L. contains high amount of total polyphenols; tannins and flavonoids (191.99 µg gallic acid equivalent/g dry extract; 265.33 µg tannic acid equivalent/g dry extract; 110.37 µg quercetin equivalent/g dry extract; 151.11 µg rutin equivalent/g dry extract) respectively. This extract possessed high antioxidant activity (IC 50 =0.017 mg/ml) in the DPPH assay whilst the chloroformic extract (ChE) is more efficient in the β carotene/linoleic acid assay with (61.07%). The ChE of M. chamomilla contains the higher value of flavonoids (197.43 µg quercetin equivalent/g) and total polyphenols were abundant in MeE. The ethyl acetate extract of this plant had the highest antioxidant activity (IC 50 = 0.0111 mg/ml) in the DPPH assay, while chloroformic extract shows appreciable inhibition value (37.15%) in the β carotene/linoleic acid assay. Conclusion: These results provide useful information about the utilization of these plants as natural antioxidants in food and in folk medicine.

배추좀나방(Plutella xylostella)에 대한 식물추출물의 살충력 평가

This study focused on the usefulness of plant extracts for a city organic farm. Insecticidal activity of 8 plant species, plants crude extracts by ethanol and water, against third instar larvae (susceptible strain) of Plutella xylostella was evaluated in this study. Ethanol(25%) extracts of plant materials had better insecticidal activity than water extracts at the room temperature. Insecticidal activity were investigated by leaf disc spray method. Five plant extracts (Capsicum annuum, Chelidoniun majus, Leonurus sibiricus, Coptis japonica, Mentha piperascens) showed over 50% insecticidal activity to P. xylostella at the concentration of 1500 mg·L -1 . Extract of C. annuum showed the highest insecticidal activity (83.3%) against P. xylostella. Phytotoxicity was not observed on Raphanus sativus and Brassica campestris with spray application. Seed germination and growth of two plants were not affected. Extract of C. japonica revealed 73.3% control efficacy against P. xylostella of R. sativus and showed 70% control efficacy against those of B. campestris, respectively, in plastic house. Insecticidal activity against various insects was observed in C. japonica extract as 87.4% for R. sativus and 74.3% for B. campestris in the field. These results suggested that extracts of C. annuum, C. japonica showed the highest insecticidal activity, and could be used as city farm insecticides for organic farming.

Extraction of rotundifuran and casticin from chaste tree fruits by near critical liquid carbon dioxide

In this study we investigated the use of near critical liquid CO2 for the extraction of chaste tree ripe fruits (Vitex agnus-castus L.). Two procedures utilizing near critical liquid CO2 were tested: (1) the extraction of plant material via continuous solvent recycling and (2) the extraction by a Soxhlet-type process via periodic solvent recycling. The results were compared with data obtained from the traditional Soxhlet extraction process using three different solvents, namely n-hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol. Extractions with liquid CO2, recycled in continuous mode, of chaste tree fruits in three sizes: (1) <0.3mm, (2) 0.3–0.8mm, and (3) 3–3.2mm resulted in maximum yields of 4.9%, 4.1% and 2.8%, respectively. Extraction times of 0.17–25h were used. Extraction by continuous recycling of liquid CO2 is more efficient than Soxhlet-type periodic recycling of liquid CO2, resulting in up to three times higher yield for the same solvent-to-feed ratio. Comparison of HPLC data for extracts obtained by liquid CO2, n-hexane, dichloromethane and methanol showed that the diterpene rotundifuran is best extracted by liquid CO2 (3.010g/kg drug), and the flavonoid casticin is best extracted by n-hexane (1.067g/kg drug).

Botanical Agents for the Treatment of Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer

Nonmelanoma skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, are common neoplasms worldwide and are the most common cancers in the United States. Standard therapy for cutaneous neoplasms typically involves surgical removal. However, there is increasing interest in the use of topical alternatives for the prevention and treatment of nonmelanoma skin cancer, particularly superficial variants. Botanicals are compounds derived from herbs, spices, stems, roots, and other substances of plant origin and may be used in the form of dried or fresh plants, extracted plant material, or specific plant-derived chemicals. They possess multiple properties including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory properties and are, therefore, believed to be possible chemopreventive agents or substances that may suppress or reverse the process of carcinogenesis. Here, we provide a review of botanical agents studied for the treatment and prevention of nonmelanoma skin cancers.